Urban Meyer Reportedly Told His Assistant Coaches That He's A Winner And They Are All Losers While Threatening To Fire Them
by Jorge Alonso December 11, 2021
It appears that Urban Meyer is attempting to throw his assistant coaches under the bus during the Jaguars' terrible 2-10 season.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, tension has been mounting within the Jags organization after Meyer has had multiple heated incidents with players and assistant coaches in recent weeks.
In his report, Pelissero claims Meyer has berated his assistant coaches and blames them for losing. In one instance, Meyer reportedly told his assistant coaches that he's a winner and they are all losers while threatening to fire them.
I'm sorry you guys don't like Urban Meyer's icebreaker question but he didn't want to do the normal "fun fact" thing, ok. pic.twitter.com/iPtQgsEGQN
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 11, 2021
Via NFL.com
But sources say Meyer's repeated public comments shifting blame to players and coaches amid the team's 2-10 season have exacerbated frustration in the building with his hard-charging and sometimes condescending approach — a style that many observers believed wouldn't work in the NFL even before the Jaguars hired him.
During a staff meeting, Meyer delivered a biting message that he's a winner and his assistant coaches are losers, according to several people informed of the contents of the meeting, challenging each coach individually to explain when they've ever won and forcing them to defend their résumés.
And the staff meeting follows a pattern of tense interactions between Meyer and his assistants dating back to the offseason. After opening the preseason with consecutive losses, for instance, sources say Meyer informed assistants that he was sick of being embarrassed and if the team didn't start winning immediately, some of them wouldn't be around for a second year.
Players are also apparently getting fed up with Meyer's coaching style and have expressed their frustrations to players on other teams.
Receiver Marvin Jones — one of the locker room's most respected and mild-mannered veterans — became so angry with Meyer's public and private criticism of the receiver group that he left the facility until other staff members convinced him to come back and had a heated argument with Meyer during practice.
Several Jaguars players vented their frustration to Rams players after that game, sources say, reiterating a common complaint that Meyer — who had no prior NFL experience — doesn't treat them like adults
Despite all the dysfunction within the organization, Pelissero does note that there are no signs that Jags owner Shad Khan is going to fire Meyer any time soon.
Brobible sports editor. Jorge is a Miami native and lifelong Heat fan. He has been covering the NBA, MLB and NFL professionally for almost 10 years, specializing in digital media. Email: jorge@brobible.com
Tags Clean NewsJacksonville JaguarsUrban Meyer